JOE ALLEN admits qualifying for Euro 2016 has finally started to sink in after the Wales squad recorded their tournament song with the Manic Street Preachers.

Joe Allen in action for Wales during training ahead of Northern Ireland and Ukraine friendlies

The Blackwood rockers met up with Chris Coleman and the rest of the Dragons squad on Monday to film the video for 'Together Stronger' (C'mon Wales), which will be released on May 20.

It puts Wales one up on tournament rivals England, who have yet to release their own ditty ahead of the summer's eagerly-awaited Battle of Britain showdown in Lens.

In the meantime, Allen and his colleagues are preparing for friendly assignments against Northern Ireland and Ukraine as they build towards a first major finals in 58 years.

And the Liverpool man reckons the scale of the achievement is starting to hit home after an afternoon with Welsh rock royalty.

"Working on the song was a bit like getting measured for your suits before a Cup final," said the Liverpool midfielder. "We've had four months where everybody has been fully focused on their club football, and coming away now together reminds you what is ahead.

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"I'm a big Manics fan anyway, so to work with them and be part of the song was incredible. It's a sign of how much all this means not just to the players but to everybody.

"It was great to meet them, they are Welsh icons and it has made it all seem that bit more real as we look ahead to the tournament itself.

"It's something that only happens if you go to a tournament, so it does make you realise how we have all been working for this.

"It has sunk in and now we just can't wait to get out to France and get started."

But any fans hoping to see Crystal Palace ace Joe Ledley strutting his stuff in the promotional video will be disappointed.

The former Cardiff man became an internet sensation after his dance moves were picked up as Wales celebrated reaching the finals after defeat in Bosnia. But he revealed the Manics were not quite so impressed.

"The dance was mentioned, people were having a bit of a laugh about it," said Ledley. "So I did not do the dance this time - to be fair I don't think I can get down that low any more.

"It was a great experience. I did it with Cardiff in the FA Cup and to do it with this set of boys was a good laugh."

This camp is the last chance for players to prove themselves before Coleman names his final 23-man squad for the finals in May.

Ledley and Allen are guaranteed places providing they stay free of injury, but the former Swansea man has had a frustrating season for his club.

The 26-year-old has made just three Premier League starts this season and has used Welsh success as a means of coping with his difficulties on Merseyside.

"The season has been okay on a personal level, but then it has been incredible from a Wales point of view because I've figured in the campaign and I've felt really proud and privileged to be part of it," he said.

"I'm not somebody who needs an extra incentive to go and work hard in training every day, but it has been great to have the knowledge that France was coming up in the back of my mind.

"For every player in the squad they have known what is waiting at the end of the season, and that's been amazing for everyone.

"It has made sure everyone has pushed themselves, and subconsciously or not worked a little bit harder, everyone has their eye on making sure they have a good season going into the tournament."

The tournament could yet prove to be Coleman's last outing in charge of his nation as he continues to be linked with club jobs while talks on a new Wales contract drag on.

But Ledley said: "We want him to be here for many years to come, what he's done for us and the whole nation is remarkable."